Ford likely to Invest $ 1 Billion in India to develop 3 new SUVs

Ford in India will be investing USD 1 Billion more in India, over the next five to seven years. According to a media report, Ford is already developing two SUVs which are codenamed BX744 and BX745. The former is a sub-4-metre B-SUV which is expected to be India specific and the latter is a premium B-SUV which may be targeted for India and other markets such as China and Brazil. The BX744 is expected to replace the Ford EcoSport in India and the BX745 will rival the Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta and the likes. The two B-SUVs are expected to debut in the near future, BX744 in 2021 and BX745 in 2022.

Ford will be investing around USD 500 Million in India although it has not been confirmed if the investment is for the two B-SUVs. Another USD 500 Million are expected to be invested in the Ford-Mahindra joint venture over the years which plans to co-develop a C-Segment SUV under the codename ‘Project Black’.

In India, Ford sales have been quite stagnant, but over the past few years Ford has been doing good in exporting its cars and Ford in India wants to ensure capacity utilisation of their production facilities located in Sriperembudur, Tamil Nadu and Sanand, Gujarat. The compact cars and sedan cars which are exported to Europe from India are facing challenges with new strict emission norms and their supply will eventually be phased out.

Ford has announced an investment of nearly USD 100 million in the C-Segment SUV in a joint venture with Mahindra. The C-Segment SUV will be sold in India and other emerging markets. It is also speculated that the brand will share platforms with electric vehicle technology with Mahindra for the Figo and Aspire, which will be for India as well as global markets.